A side-by-side comparison of NBI Global Real Assets Income ETF (NREA) and iShares Global Infrastructure Common Class (CIF) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | NREA | CIF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.92% | +17.57%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.89% | +0.56%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.82%✓ | +0.67% |
| 1-Month Change | +4.13%✓ | +1.60% |
| Current Price | $27.71 | $68.73 |
| AUM | $1.47B | $1.59B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 1.92%✓ | 1.76% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2019-01-15 | 2008-08-27 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Infrastructure Equity | Infrastructure Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.94 |
| 52-Week High | $29.51 | $73.90 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.39 | $56.14 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.23 | $68.62 |
| 200-Day MA | $27.74 | $68.35 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | NREA | CIF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.92% | +17.57%✓ |
| 1 Year | +12.96% | +16.34%✓ |
| 3 Year | +13.07% | +30.02%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.45% | +19.30%✓ |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +12.93%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.47% | 14.57% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.27 | 1.73 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | AEP | American Electric Power Co Inc | 6.98% |
| 2 | ETR | Entergy Corporation | 5.30% |
| 3 | AENA | Aena SA | 4.56% |
| 4 | XEL | Xcel Energy Inc | 4.20% |
| 5 | IBE | Iberdrola S.A. | 4.17% |
| 6 | LNG | Cheniere Energy Inc | 3.90% |
| 7 | NEE | Nextera Energy Inc | 3.78% |
| 8 | TRGP | Targa Resources Inc | 3.41% |
| 9 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 3.31% |
| 10 | WMB | Williams Companies Inc | 3.19% |
| 1 | ACO-X | ATCO Ltd | 5.34% |
| 2 | EIX | Edison International | 5.10% |
| 3 | TRGP | Targa Resources Inc | 4.59% |
| 4 | CAT | Caterpillar Inc | 4.08% |
| 5 | STNG | Scorpio Tankers Inc | 3.79% |
| 6 | SBS | Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo SABESP ADR | 3.61% |
| 7 | CU | Canadian Utilities Limited | 3.51% |
| 8 | ENIC | Enel Chile SA ADR | 3.60% |
| 9 | UGI | UGI Corporation | 3.24% |
| 10 | STN | Stantec Inc | 3.25% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | NREA | CIF |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 17.48% | 21.61% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 28.53% | 27.63% |
| Real Estate | 2.12% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.12% | 0.48% |
| Utilities | 52.27% | 48.76% |
About NREA
NA
About CIF
iShares Global Infrastructure Common Class (CIF.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both NREA and CIF are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, CIF scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NREA and CIF?
NREA (NBI Global Real Assets Income ETF) and CIF (iShares Global Infrastructure Common Class) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.47B vs $1.59B), dividend yield (1.92% vs 1.76%), and year-to-date performance (+10.92% vs +17.57%).
Is NREA better than CIF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy NREA and CIF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both NREA and CIF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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